DISCOVERING THE ORIGIN

DISCOVERING THE ORIGIN

The history of Dutch distilled spirits is one rich in stories - stories we share through our products and flavors. From original distillation methods and historic recipes to traditionally used bottles and ancient icons, we’re going back to the source to guarantee the authenticity of each and every one of our products. Our high-quality spirits are made with 100% natural ingredients and are produced in our Dutch distillery.

De Borgen

De Borgen’s logo features a “borg” viewed from above. It’s the 13th century term for the solid stone homes that were found strategically positioned on hills in the north of Holland, the province of Groningen. These borgen have always been houses in which stories were passed down by villagers over the centuries – every brick tells a different story.

With the house in the middle, a moat around the edge, and a draw-bridge to let people in and out, the borg was a beacon of safety – offering protection to the village and its people in times of danger. Of the 200 borgen that once found their home in the region, 16 can still be seen today in the landscape around Groningen – the same landscape that has been home to our distillery since 1888.

THE STORY OF OUR DISTILLERY

De Borgen produces and bottles its spirits at Hooghoudt, a small family distillery in the north of the Netherlands. Established in 1888, Hooghoudt is renowned for its centuries-old tradition of capturing flavors from herbs, spices and fruit to create high-quality drinks that keep our typical Dutch flavors alive. Hooghoudt uses both traditional and innovative techniques to distill small batches of the finest spirits. With its in-depth knowledge of this professional craft, Hooghoudt is a 4th generation family distillery – making it the perfect fit for the production of De Borgen’s authentic spirit range.

The uniqueness of our genevers comes from the way we experiment with malt spirit for a deep layered grainy taste, juniper berries and other botanicals, and aging of our malt spirit in sherry oloroso casks. It is the connection of those three elements that builds the profound character of each of our spirits.

OUR SPIRITS AUTHENTIC FLAVORS.

De Borgen?s assortment is inspired by the history of Dutch distilled spirits. Our product range celebrates three unique styles of genever inspired by the rich history of the drink throughout the last 400 years: malt genever whose style harks back to the 16th century; old-style genever inspired by 18th century flavors; and new-style genever that uses 19th century distillation techniques and botanicals. Our spirits range along a spectrum from cask-finished genevers with the complexity of whisky to light genevers with the herbal characteristics of a delicate gin. The flavors inside our bottles have existed for centuries. We translated traditional recipes and distillation methods into authentic flavors that people still love today.

De Borgen Malt Genever

To discover the core flavor of Dutch distilled spirits, we went back to the original distillation techniques of the 16th century – creating a full-bodied flavor that transports you right back to the origins of genever, when it became popular in the Dutch Golden Age. This noble spirit travelled the world on Dutch VOC ships, including to England, where it evolved into gin.

A unique combination of juniper berries distilled in copper stills coupled with plenty of malt spirit made from corn, wheat and rye gives this malt genever its characteristic powerful kick. While Oloroso sherry casks are used to add depth of flavor, botanical extracts like caraway, fennel and sweet woodruff give the spirit its smooth taste.

• Nose: Rich, oaky nose combined with warm spices and a hint of caramel. • Taste: Full bodied, with a rich and powerful graininess, complemented by woody notes and hints of vanilla and caramel. • Finish: Rich and complex, warm spices and woody notes alternate with fruity undertones

De Borgen Old Style Genever

Our Old-Style Genever echoes the more refined distillation process of the 17th and 18th centuries. With the classis taste of malt spirit, heavy on juniper berries and light on botanicals, this genever has a strong yet smooth flavor, making for a refined taste that’s as popular now as it was 300 years ago.

To create a drink that’s as accessible as it is sophisticated, we balance malt spirit that’s been matured in oak for 17 years, juniper berry distillate that’s been triple-distilled in copper, grain alcohol and unaged malt spirit. This beautifully silky combination is a product of patience and craftsmanship.

De Borgen New Style Genever

New trends in flavor and distillation methods in the 19th century made the style of genever cleaner, crisper and more accessible – hence the name “new-style”. While the proportion of malt spirit dropped, pure grain alcohol became more popular – and it’s this neutral backdrop that brings out the flavor of the botanicals. A boundary-pusher of a drink, our genever is inspired by the impact this spirit had on the cocktail world of centuries past (then known as Holland Gin to distinguish it from English gin).

With only a hint of malt, our new-style genever is full of copper-distilled botanicals – like the curious orange-apple from the Dutch Antilles, which brings out a unique citric freshness in the spirit.

THE STORY OF HOLLAND GIN.

Genever has a very rich history dating back to the 16th century. Juniper based medicines were common in those times, and it did not take long before the product made name as recreational drink, rapidly becoming the Dutch most popular spirit: a national drink was born.

Throughout the 17th century (the Dutch Golden Age) and 18th century, genever popularity rapidly grew in both The Netherlands as well as abroad, reaching astronomic heights during the 19th Century. Pioneers of modern bartending made name and cultivated the cocktail scene, with genever being an important base spirit in many historic classic cocktails.

By then, the original name ‘Genever’ had internationally been anglicized to ‘Geneva’, which ultimately evolved to ‘Gin’. With both the English Gin and the Dutch Genever being called the same, bartenders needed to find a way to diversify between the both. To prevent confusion, genever was baptized ‘Holland Gin’.

Today, genever is still Holland’s number one consumed spirit, claiming one fifth of all domestic spirits consumption. At the same time, genever is regaining momentum internationally, addressing the growing desire for authentic spirits and craft products with a genuine background.

DISCOVER OUR SUGGESTED SERVES.

Like Jerry Thomas and Harry Johnson we’re spreading our love for spirits around the globe. Guided by sense of flavor and the historical knowledge of the great bartenders of the past, the finest bartender of Holland put together a list of perfect serves. Get inspired and create your own.

BEFORE GIN & GINGER

Easy Drinking

A true revelation for every bartender who tasted it so far.

50 ml Old Style Genever

100 – 120 ml Ginger Ale

1 squeezed lime wedge

Glass: highball

Method: build

Garnish: lime wedge

Old Style Fizz

Easy Drinking

A true classic. Thanks to the sweetness of the malt spirit, this Fizz only needs a little dash of simple syrup.

60 ml Old Style Genever

30 ml lemon/lime citrus mix

15 ml simple syrup

Egg white

Dash soda

Glass: champagne

Method: dry shake, shake, fine strain

Garnish: lime zest

Old Style Raspberry Collins

Easy drinking

A new-fashioned recipe and twist on the John or Tom Collins.

50 ml Old Style Genever

25 ml lemon juice

15 ml sugar syrup

15 ml raspberry coulis

Dash Soda

Glass: highball

Method: build

Garnish: rosemary, fresh raspberry and lemon zest

Old Style Martinez

In between

Very famous Martini-esque cocktail, originally created by Harry Johnson.

2 dashes of Curacao

2 dashes of Angostura bitters

1.5 ounces of Italian vermouth

1.5 ounces of the Old Style Genever

Glass: martini

Method: stir & strain

Garnish: lemon zest

New-Style John Collins

Easy drinking

The botanicals and juniper berry make New-Style Genever a perfect fit for this classic.

50 ml New-Style Genever

25 ml Lemon juice

20 ml sugar syrup

Soda Dash

Glass: highball

Method: build

Garnish: lemon zest

New-Style Martinez

More complexity

One of the many pre-prohibition predecessors of the better known Dry Martini.

50 ml New-Style Genever

20 ml Del Professore Rosso

5 ml Pierre Ferrand Orange Curaqao

2 dashes Bokers bitters

Glass: martini

Method: stir & strain

Garnish: orange zest

New-Style Marguerite

More complexity

The godfather of all Martini drinks made by Harry Johnson and Jerry Thomas.

60 ml New-Style Genever

20 ml Dolin Dry vermouth

2 dashes Orange bitters

2 dashes Pastis

Glass: martini

Method: stir & strain

Garnish: lemon zest

Improved Holland Gin

More complexity

One of my favorite Jerry Thomas recipes.

60 New-Style Genever

10 ml simple syrup

5 ml Maraschino

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 dash Absinte

Glass: martini

Method: stir & strain

Garnish: lemon zest

New-Style Golden Fizz

In between

The malt spirit character of New-Style Genever is perfect for this whisky classic, the Morning Glory Fizz.

50 ml New-Style Genever

25 ml lemon juice

15 ml sugar syrup

1 egg yolk

Dash Soda

Glass: champagne

Method: dry shake, shake, fine strain

Garnish: dried lemon

Malt Genever Neat

More complexity

This cask-finished Malt Genever could be a new favorite of the single malt drinker.

35 ml De Borgen Malt Genever served neat in a jenever glass or in an Old Fashioned glass on the rocks (preferably 1 cube)

Malt Genever Negroni

In between

De Borgen Malt Genever is the best spirit for a Negroni. Ask any bartender.

40 ml De Borgen Malt Genever

30 ml Belzazar Red Vermouth

20 ml Campari

2 dashes orange bitters

Glass: old fashioned

Method: stir & strain

Garnish: orange zest

Malt Genever Julep

In between

A true revelation. This Kentucky Bourbon Classic is glorious with De Borgen Malt Genever.

60 ml Malt Genever

15 ml sugar syrup

8 mint leafs

Glass: julep mug

Method: build over crushed ice

Garnish: mint flower and powdered sugar

Malt Genever Old-Fashioned

More complexity

The aged malt spirit character is ideal in an Old-Fashioned. The maple syrup gives it a pleasant twist.

60 ml Malt Genever

8 ml Canadian Maple syrup

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Glass: old fashioned

Method: stir & Strain

Garnish: marinated cherry and orange zest

Malt Genever Hot-Buttered

More complexity

The new Dutch winter classic: a variation on the Hot-Buttered Rum with slightly more bite.